Several #MadeInOntario Match Officials Recognized on 2024 FIFA List of International Referees
Congratulations to Filip Dujic and Melissa Snedden on making the FIFA List of International Referees for 2024, and to the legendary Carol Anne Chenard on retiring from the list after 17 years.
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In order from left to right: Filip Dujic, Carol Anne Chenard, Melissa Snedden. Photos courtesy of Canada Soccer via Flickr.
Canada Soccer had 17 Match Officials appear on this year’s list, from 6 of our country’s 10 provinces. Making his debut on the FIFA List of International Referees this year is Ontario’s Filip Dujic. Also representing our province on the esteemed list is Melissa Snedden, who was first appointed as an Assistant Referee in 2018. Congratulations to these #MadeInOntario talents on achieving this milestone and being a shining example for our Match Official community.
"Ontario Soccer is proud of both Melissa and Filip as they continue to represent both Ontario and Canada with distinction domestically and internationally. Melissa and Filip are strong ambassadors and regularly give back to match officiating within Ontario," said David Barrie, Manager of Match Official Development. "To be a FIFA Match Official requires years of dedication and hard work, and I look forward to seeing them perform at the highest level."
A special shoutout goes to Carly Shaw-Maclaren who is representing Ontario on the FIFA List of International Referees. Though she was developed in another province, we are thrilled to have such a stellar Match Official join our Ontario Soccer community.
Celebrating the Career of Carol Anne Chenard
In announcing the Canadians featured on the FIFA List of International Referees for 2024, Canada Soccer was sure to note the absence of the one and only Carol Anne Chenard.
Chenard was the most tenured Canadian Match Official on the FIFA refereeing list, making the cut for 17 years straight from 2006 to 2023. This year, she is retiring from the list.
"Since 2006, Carol Anne has represented Canada Soccer on the FIFA list and has paved the way for women's refereeing, not only in Canada, but throughout the world,” said Isaac Raymond, Canada Soccer Referee Department Manager. "Her professionalism, integrity, and bravery, as she navigated challenges both on and off the field, have been an inspiration to all those who have had the pleasure of coming into contact with her. Congratulations on an amazing international career."
Ontario Soccer would like to congratulate Carol Anne Chenard on her historic journey as a Match Official and say thank you for making such significant contributions to our community.
"Carol Anne Chenard has had a storied career, with three World Cup appointments, that saw her blaze a trail for future Match Officials at the international level," said Matt Ferreira, Director of Development for Ontario Soccer. "Her journey is an inspiration to those in our community, highlighting that opportunities exist to grow in the role of the referee, and that women can and will have an ever more active role in the game at all levels.
Read the article from Canada Soccer here.
